Fifty foot waves, no engine, no steering, and a storm system stalled out and not moving off?

I'd say the boat and crew weren't prepared for the trip, but the decision to get out of Dodge doesn't seem entirely unreasonable, if they either were unable or unknowledgeable about fixing the engine and steering.

Anyone want to bet a nickel it was the typical "stuff in the fuel tank clogged the engine when it got kicked up" problem? (sigh)

HS...sounds like they were all set to head into Beaufort when the engine went out and heading to sea was the right move in that circumstance...but the engine clogging means they didn't clean the tanks on a used boat and then they didn't know how to put in new filters and get her started. A couple of good learning points for anyone starting out with a new boat.
The winds were not as strong as claimed on Saturday...but they were heading into it so it seemed that way I'm sure.
Always interesting to hear from the participants rather than make the same mistakes ourselves.

Yeah, there' s nothing like being there although given the conditions I'm just as glad I wasn't. Frankly, I've had one too many "perfectly reliable diesel engines" pack up from fuel mysteries and I don't think I'd take one offshore without doing a TOTAL fuel system purge beforehand. As in, tank inspection, cleaning, full set of filters, crush washers, and all the other things that can get you. "No really, the fuel is good" goes on my list with "The check is in the mail" as far as diesels go. But, that might just be something they like to do to me because I won't put them on a pedestal above gasoline.

A friend of mine had a problem when a tank less than 1/4 filled sucked air due to some radical pitching and wallowing. It was only a small area of turbulence due to wind/tide at a river mouth, but it was a valuable lesson. He was pushed away with wind and current and was able to bleed the engine, but it could have been scary. No baffles in tank. Fairly common with new plastic tanks. Still, hard to be critical of crew since I wasn't there. High north wind into the Gulf Stream can create some violent seas. I know more than one couple who gave up cruising due to an ill-advised crossing from Ft Lauderdale to West End. You know, the whole "We ain't in Kansas anymore, Toto." thing. They moved back to Kansas. Got a condo and hiking shoes.

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